Celebrating 32 years of supporting excellence!
Foundations
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE EGR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
VOL. XXXII FEBRUARY 2015
Message from the Executive Director
2014-2015
Board of Directors
Dean Witting,
President
Mary Reagan Shapton,
Vice President
Stacey Levitt,
Treasurer
PK Mason,
Secretary
Todd Brandstadt
Pat Connor
Brad Freiburger
Nancy Hejna
David Hojnacki
Tom Kyros
Anna Laffrey, ‘16
Michael Mackson
Melissa Marsh
Jill Miller
Megan Miller
Onder Ors
Michael Reid
Noah Salasky, ‘15
Eric Starck
Allison White
Marilyn Zack
Ex-Officio Members
Dr. Sara Shubel,
Superintendent
Natalie Bernecker,
School Board Member
Office Staff
Amy Stuursma,
Executive Director
Rosanne Mack,
Accountant
Maria Allen,
Alumni Relations
Coordinator
Trish Reid,
Office Manager
Thank you to all of you who supported the East Grand Rapids
Schools Foundation in 2014. With your support, we were able to
make a lasting impact on K-12 education in the East Grand Rapids
Public Schools. Your support of our mission, enhancing teaching and
learning, is vital to our success and the success of our public schools.
The Foundation funded over $130,000 in grants, awards and
scholarships last school year. These funds from our endowment fund,
EGRForever!, supported initiatives and enhancements in our classrooms, that set East Grand Rapids apart from other school districts.
In addition to the grants that were funded through the endowment, the Foundation provided $145,000 in program support
through the EGRNow! campaign. This is an annual campaign to
support the immediate needs of the district: programs or projects.
We are excited to kick off our EGRNow! Campaign this spring in
support of programs in our schools. This year our goal is “100% all
in”…we are looking for participation from all of our families, community members and businesses to make a difference in our schools.
The East Grand Rapids Public Schools are our business in East Grand
Rapids. It is up to us as a community to continue to support our
schools and our community and preserve the tradition of East Grand
Rapids.
Take local control and support our schools:
100% All In:
2015
Amy C. Stuursma
“Kindness Counts”
DATES TO REMEMBER:
March 1, 2015 –
Spring grant deadline
March 14, 2015 –
HURRAH! - The Cheney
Place – downtown Grand
Rapids
May 1, 2015 –
Nominations due for
teacher awards and
student scholarships
June 10, 2015
(Wednesday) –
Gerken Open - Thousand
Oaks Golf Club
December 31, 2015 –
Nominations due for 2016
Community Service and
Distinguished Alumni
Awards
A special thank you to
Brenda Cronin, Megan
Knuble, Doreen Lambert, Mari Persons and
Amy Rockwell for their
volunteer hours in the
Foundation office.
During her 21 years as principal of Lakeside Elementary, Linda
Kehm taught students that “Kindness Counts,” a motto now firmly embedded in Lakeside’s culture.
She and her staff reminded students daily – in the classrooms, at school assemblies and in dismissal announcements – that being kind to one another matters. Mrs. Kehm also spread her message beyond the
doors of Lakeside. In 2007, she established the Kindness Counts Scholarship, an annual honor given to
an East Grand Rapids Senior who exhibits extraordinary service
to others.
Mrs. Kehm retired at the end of the 2013-14 school year. As
a tribute to her legacy, the Lakeside PTO, in collaboration with
the East Grand Rapids Schools Administration, renamed the
Kindness Counts Scholarship as the “Linda Kehm Kindness
Counts Scholarship.” It is the hope of the Lakeside PTO to
endow this scholarship with the East Grand Rapids Schools
Foundation so that Mrs. Kehm’s message will continue to impact
future generations of East Grand Rapids students.
If you would like to make a contribution to this scholarship fund, please send a check payable to
the Lakeside PTO, memo line: Kindness Counts Scholarship, and mail to Lakeside Elementary, 2325
Hall St., SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506.
2
Foundations
February 2015
Volume XXXII
THE DONOR ROLL CALL
The East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation’s Donor Roll Call recognizes those individuals, businesses and organizations that
have supported the Foundation from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. The Foundation’s Board of Directors gratefully
acknowledges all who have generously supported our mission through their gifts. We also thank individuals who have secured matching gifts from their employers, as well as the employers who have supported their employees’ generosity through matching gifts.
This list reflects all outright gifts and does not include participants in Foundation-sponsored events such as HURRAH!, golf
outings or the Community Service and Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner.
EGRNOW!
Pillar: $2,500/year or more
Anonymous
Ray ’71 & Kristin Abraham
Chris & Emily Backus
Tony & Gwen Barnes, ‘87
Dave ’60 & Sib ’62 Barrett
Mary Ann Byam, ‘57
Ted & Claudine Duncan
Bob ’73 & Susan Levine
Marc & Charlene Montpetit
John & Gail Nowak
Bill & Nancy Swaney
Cornice: $1,000/year
Craig & Staci Alguire
Scott & Natalie Bernecker, ‘89
John R. Bertsch, ‘61
Todd & Bonnie Brandstadt
Breton Downs PTO
Brett Brinker & Heather
Slay, ‘89
Mike ’89 & Lisa Byam
Brock & Caroline Cannon
Dan ’58 & Linda Conway
Don & Johanna Crossley
Brad ’93 & Amy Darooge
John & Mary Dersch
Brian ’78 & JoAnn Ellis
Dave ’89 & Amy Engbers
Jeff & Katie Flermoen
Rick & Carol Godfrey
Megan & Emily Goodrich
Gary Graeff & Kim Krause
John & Deanna Green
Graham ’94 & Sara Irwin
Mike & Sue Keil
Herbert & Glenna Knape
Andrea Leistra
Jerry Lykins & Elizabeth
Welch, ‘88
Mike & Carole McDonald
Steve & Jenny McMahon
Bob & Beth Milanowski
Brian & Megan Miller
Matthew ’86 & Jill Miller
Steve & Katie Millman
Tim & Denise Myers
Onder & Carol Ors
Howard & Stacy Paul
Chris & Michelle Rabideau
Steve ’80 & Amy Rockwell
Stephen & Kelly Sadowski
Ronald Sagritalo & Aracelis
Lopez
Bob Shapton & Mary Reagan
Shapton
Rick & Stacy Shorey
Achilles Spagnuolo & Ruth
Brandt Spagnuolo
Tomasz & Ewa Timek
Honorio Valdes Murua &
Tina Murua
Dave ’67 & Bev Verdier
Russ & Chris Visner
Bob ’92 & Tracy Wolford
Architrave: $500-999/year
Nick & Shellie Adamy
Steve ’86 & Maria Allen
Craig & Shelly Boeve
Brett & Kim Bolt
Dennis & Jennifer Bruce
Fred & Kathleen Burkhart
Kevin & Julie Burns
Dev & Susan Butler
Kevin & Kimberly Carey
Lance ’57 & Letitia ’59
Caston
Chris & Rona Caswell
Sean & Cheryl Cox
Gene & Brenda Cronin
Dennis & Amy Donohue
Nadav & Karen Dujovny
Albert & Lana Duoibes
The Ekkens-Groenveld
Family
Scott & Judith Ferrell
Steve Fox & Michelle
Boisvenue-Fox
Tom ’46 & Mickie Fox
Nate & Joyce French
Toby & Jill Gebben
Michael J. Hannah, ‘63
Robyn Hubbard
Amorak Huey & Ellen
Schendel
Joel & Shannon Iakiri
Tim & Lori ’79 Johnston
Gil & Tinker Judson
Kevin & Patty Kabat
Mary Kaneti
Jim & Amy ’81 Keane
Rob ’84 & Julie Kowalewski
Robert & Lucy Lafleur
Lakeside Elementary PTO
Eric & Doreen Lambert
Christopher & Sharon
Longstreth
Paul & Elizabeth Luce
Doug & Stacey Maas
Paul & Rosanne ’83 Mack
Bill & Amy Mackay
Jeff ’91 & Shannon
MacKeigan
Donald Malcolm & Jean
Magolan
The Marx Family
Matt & Katie ’93 McIntosh
Jim ’81 & Sue ’82 McLain
Hank & Liesel Meijer
Joel & Melissa Mitchell
Donovan & Jenny Moo
Jason Moore, ‘90
Jeff & Pam Morris
Jim & Courtney Moskal
The Orsini Family
Norm & Jan Palm
Vint & Mari Persons
Aaron & Wailing Pike
Mark & Lisa ’93 Rapoport
Greg & Carolyn Reese
The Rogers Family
Dan & Shelley Schmidt
Eddy & Susanne Schmitt
Tim & Ann Sheridan
Greg & Sara Shubel
Jason & Latchezara Smith
Rich & Abby Sorota
Joe & Jill Stankowski
The Stanley-Eldred Family
Peter & Amy Stuursma, ‘89
Tim & Karen ’86 Sullivan
Nick & Amy Thole
Michael Tomich & Jeanne
Glowicki
Vince Turcotte, ‘77
Joe ’86 & Tanya
VandenBosch
Chris & Sarah VanDeven
Brian & Kris ’82 Ward
Mark & Wendy Wassink
Mark & Allison ’89 White
Mary Whiting
Hank ’63 & Marcia
Fairchild
Michael & Jenny ’87 Fee
Chuck & Julie Frayer
Keith & Lisa Gohlke –
in honor of Andrew
Gohlke, ’05 & Jennifer
Gohlke Hughes, ‘01
Scott & Mary Gorsline
Column: $250-499/year
David & Nancy Hejna
Anonymous
David Adams & Gina Kuyers Boyd & Jane Henderson
David & Susan Hojnacki
Brian ’97 & Sarah Adloff
John & Janyce Huff
James & Greta Ardern –
in honor of Vanessa Ardern John & Ava Kantor
Linda Kehm
Theodor Asgeirsson &
Erika G. King
Geirlaug Magnusdottir
Bob ’82 & Sue Kirchgessner
Bill ’90 & Jenny ’91
Allison Koetsier
Bergstrom
Chris ’84 & Susie Krupp
Blake ’93 & Taylor Beusse
Brad & Susan Laffrey
Kurt & Michele Bishop
John & Mary Lange
Timothy Born
Scott & Elisabeth Loos
Reynolds A. Brander, ‘55
Michael & Bethany Bregenzer Amy Marlow
Bill & Melissa Marsh
Andrew & Buffy Brown
Drew McCalley & Marilyn
Pete & Angela Buck
Green, ‘66
Chuck & Lucy Caldwell
Richard & Noel McGarrity
Mike & Kim Carnevale
Andy & Mandy McIntyre
Matt & Sarah Cavanaugh
Peter & Michelle McSorley
Nick Cisler, ‘04
Christopher & Michele
Stuart & Rita Citron
Meader
Harry & Michele Coffill
Libby Mondoux
Jason & Jody ’90 Conant
Dave & Joy Morgan
Pat ’91 & Nancy Connor
Jim & Carolyn Morse
Jeff & Sarah Conway, ‘94
Douglas Mossman, ‘72
Dave ’57 & Nancy Cook
Kevin ’88 & Sarah ’90
The Cornetet Family
Mulvihill
Dave & Dori Couvreur
Elisha Murphy
Mike & Mary Crawford
Dean & Lisa Nargi
Mike & Mary Ann Crete
David ’88 & Julie Neuhaus
Bob & Julie Currier, ‘74
Isidore & Cary Okoro
Erik Daly ’00 & Jessica
Joe ’72 & Britt ’86 O’Malley
Bloom
Kerri Orders
Collin & Nicole Dawes
Charles Pazdernik &
Jason & Stephanie
Miriam Aukerman
Doublestein
Andy & Alison Peot
Tom & Nancy Doyal
Kevin Philipps
Rob & Sarah Dwortz
Mike & Trish ’89 Reid
The Eardley Family
Franz & Krista Reuchlein
Gary & Suzanne Eberle
Larry & Sally Robson
EGRYES
Al & Kim Rossi
Matt & Emily Eugster
Andy & Erin Winkel
Charles Winslow & Judy
Sopeland
The Wisniewski Family
Paul & Joan Witting
Bryant & Marcia Zanko
Kyle & Gloriana Zimdar
February 2015
Volume XXXII
Jeff Schad & Marilyn Lankfer
Matt ’90 & Diana Schad
Greg & Elizabeth Stolle
Martha Teichner, ‘65
Andrew & Kate Thomas
Toby & Kim Tucker
Dan & Anna Tyrer
Jeff & Lori Vanden Bosch
Fernando & Katie Vicente
Jack & Nella Visser
Irene Walker
Roger Warnshuis, ‘48
Mary K. Weadock
Virginia Welch, ‘65
Douglas & Andrea Williams
Kevin & Betsy Wilson
John & Mary Wisentaner
Dean ’80 & Nell Witting
The Woudstra Family
Eric & Kathy Wynsma
Jim & Phyllis Wynsma
Mike & Kathy Zago
Capital: $100-249/year
Anonymous
Bob & Jan ’75 Aardema
The Doug Adams Family
George & Elena Aquino
Sam ’74 & Wendie Bander
Bob & Val Bernecker
Rob & Erin Berner
Michael Bird
Bill Bissell, ‘53
Maggie Blake, ‘96
Scott & Andrea Borden
Michael & Margaret Bosscher
Carl & Betsy Brown
Brandon & Elizabeth Burnette
Jim & Mel Burns
Molly Buxton
Dan ’70 & Nancy Bylenga
Jack & Mary Lou ’51
Campbell
Gregory Carnevale
Charlene M. Chadbourne, ‘61
Rich Chalker, ‘58
Bob Congdon
Mitch ’83 & Jeanne Cook
Brooks Corl, ‘59
Thomas & Samantha Cornell
Jay & Kathy Cragwall
Jeff & Jill Dean
Rob ’54 & Kathy Deane
Jacob Deliefde & Holly
Lampen
Rob & Allison DeVilbiss
Mark & Lisa DeVries
Alice Dodgson, ’55 –
in honor of Emily, Sam &
Lauren Dodgson
Robert & Linda ’65 Dudley
Kathryn Dunning –
in honor of Luke Socie
Chris & Linda Edgar
Nnaemeka & Ngozi Egwuatu
Foundations
Steve & Lisa Eldersveld
Constance S. Ellis
Frances S. Ellis
Tom & Martha Farrington
Matt Feyen & Nicole
Haglund
Jarett & Jessica Fitnich
Harvey Fixler, ‘62
Patricia Flaherty, ‘67
Omar & Elizabeth Flores
Andy & Jeannine Frazier
Ted & Louise Gedra
Anne Genthe
Thomas A. Getz
Gene J. Gilmore, ‘48
John F. Gilmore, ‘48
Tom & Sally Gleason
Ed & Chris Goodrich
Robert Goodrich, ‘58
Tim & Emily Gorashko
Jonathan & Jennifer Greer
Robert & Marie Griffin
Ian & Anne Grobel
Christopher Gutek
Dave & Beth Hamm
Brian & Karey Hamrick
Andy & Peggy Head
Gerry & Nancy Hickey
Beth Hill
Mark ’81 & Lisa Hoffman
Steve & Nancy Hoffman
David J. Horning, M.D.
Gary & Cindy Humphries
Win ’65 & Kyle ’70 Irwin
Mike & Cara Jones
Scott Keil & Kristi Kern
Barbara Keller
Skip & Dianne Kessler, ‘65
Chris & Amy Knape
Rob & Elizabeth Koenen
Hillary Kooy
Mark & Jennifer
Kotchenruther
Steven & Amie Jo Kreitzer
Ben & Margaret Kroese
Jim & Mary Krzeminski
David & Sarah ’89 Kugler
Geoff ’92 & Julie Laham
Russ & Jill Lampen
Steve ’58 & Polly Larned
Sue Lee
Nick Leech, ‘62
Philip M. Leech, ‘58
The Leestma Family
Dave & Stacey Levitt
Richard & Heather ’92
Lewis
Steven & Dawn Lewis
Tim Lewis, ‘82
David & Carol Lippert
Dan Lorenz & Aletta
VanderPlaat
Bill & Marilyn Lundquist
Dick & Genie Lyman
Matt & Kathy MacGregor
Al & Marnie ’74 Masterson
Barbara Mayo-Johnson
Michael & Lois McCardell
John & Bethal McCarthy
Terry McIlhargey
Mark & Sarah McKenna
Sean ’87 & Theresa
McLaughlin
Rick K. ’62 & Sue Miller
Dan & Virginia Miller –
in honor of Anabel &
Olivia Miller
Thomas ’72 & Glynis Miller
Anthony & Polly Morey
Jack Nichols
Tom & Diane Northway
Jack & Margie Oosting, ‘56
John & Ellen Osterhart
Don & Melissa Padgett
Keith Paluska
Jim ’87 & Leslie Papp
Linda B. Patterson
Jude & Carrie Pereira
Timothy & Pamela Pietryga
Chris & Carey ’88 Potter
Matt ’78 & Anne Pursley
Owen Pyle
The Reahm Family
Brian & Bridget Rieth
Mary Pray Riley, ‘43
Karl & Stacy Roberts
Ken & Elaine Rongey
Chris & Sue Rosmarin
Robert Saunders
Fritz ’62 & Karen ’63
Schaefer – in honor of
retired high school English
teacher Bert Froysland
Robert Scheper & Candy
Wilkes-Scheper
Shelly Schram
Matthew Schroeder &
Jennifer Gehl, ‘88
Steve & Mary Schwartz
Michael & Caroline
Seethaler
Jim & Mindy Seufert
Nancy Seymour, ‘62
Doug & Kris Siegel
Flory Silverstein
David Smith ’63 & Peggy
Child Smith ’64
J. Patrick & Kathleen Smith
Jerome & Helen Smith
W. Dale Smith
Lou Solis
Richard & Mary Stevens
Keith ’85 & Sherry ’82
Stewart
Karen Henry Stokes – in
honor of Katie Pantlind
Michell, ‘91
Chris & Amy Strand
Jim & Ann Stuursma
Jean Swaney, ‘51
Chip ’58 & Joyce Tappan
Stephen & Wendy Thong
Scott ’98 & Michelle Titus
Susan Tobias
Tom & Amy Townsend
Christian ’87 & Gretchen
’93 Trost
Sarah Turnage
Brett & Julie Turner
Steve & Denise Twinney
Dean & Bona Van Dis
Darrell & Lee Van Orsdel
Mike & Liz Vargo
William Wagner
Tom & Miriam Walsh
Craig & Carmen Weigel
David Weiss, ‘62
The Westgate Family
The White Family –
Ben, Emily, Collin,
Heidi & Morgan
David & Stephanie ’79
Whitford
Michael & Robbyn Wnek
Bruce C. Young, ‘74
Jack ’77 & Jennifer ’83
Zinser
3
Marcia Hammerslag
John Stephen Hanink, ‘59
Craig & Kristine Hanson
Laurel Harris, ‘72
Jack & Lisa Healey
Lee & Linda Hegstrand
Tom ’69 & Jan
Hollingsworth
Chip & Terry Hurlburt
Fil & Elizabeth Iorio
Julian & Judith Joseph
Sarah Porter Jury, ‘69
Dave ’64 & Bev Kagan
Theresa Keyes
Warren & Jane Koepf
Matt Koukios & Lynne
Pappas-Koukios
Patricia Kozal
Frank J. Kuta
Randy & Marcia MacGeorge
Jason & Jennifer Madden
Judie Malec
Kevin & Nancy McIntyre
Greg & Jennifer Metz
Claire Lerchen Minneman,
‘02
Paul Murphy & Leigh Eicke
Ken & Kathleen Nelson
Pedestal: $20-99/year
Carl Nestor
Diane Alt
Lance & Kim Owens
Marcia Apsey
The Pellegrini Family
Philippe Assaf & Coeli
Molly Peskin
Fitzpatrick
Hollie Rademacher
Mark Baloga & Amy Williams Robert & Cassandra Rood
Sam & Ben Basham
Madonna Saia
Bill & Amber Behrendt
The Seyferth Family
Joan Brink Bergsteinsson, ‘59 Tom & Kris Shannon
Ayden Berner
The Sherman Family
Matt & Erin ’91 Bertke
James Siegel, ‘66
Carla D. Blandford, ‘58
Phil & Beth Skaggs
The Borst Family
Bob ’46 & Peggy ’47
Jan Brander
Steketee
Kris Bratlie
The Tabata Family
Dave ’86 & Britt Campbell
Mike & Ann Thomas
Emily Chlebek
Candace Titus
Adam & Kim Clark
John & Sue Uglietta
Brian & Jennifer Coles
Craig ’79 & Alice Van Ess
Barbara Cone
Owen Van Winkle
Carolyn Connors
Marni Vyn
Mary E. Davis, ’69
Jim ’85 & Susan Weiss
Jeanne DeRoseau
Matthew & Erica Wikander
Rick & Traci ’88 Douglas
Beth Wilbur
Lisa Dykstra, ‘81
John & Punky Edison, ‘69
John & Nancy Edleman
United Way Donors
Laura Ellis, ‘76
Anonymous
Kirk ’85 & Kirsten
Carlye Allen
Essenmacher
George Aquino
Tom & Kathryn Faturos
Andrea Beckett
Betsy Fleetwood
Bill Behrendt
Gerald & Heidi Ford
James Borst
Lynn & Alice Francis
Caroline Breault-Cannon
Jonathan Fritz
Frederick Spencer Brown
Michael & Kristin Gartrell
John Burke
Christy Gast
Molly Buxton
4
Mary Buzalski
Nancy Bylenga
Allison DeVilbiss
Lori Dood
Sarah Edleman
Lisa Eldersveld
Jenny Fee, ‘87
Jill Fouch
Brad Freiburger
Kelly Froehlich
Anne Genthe
Jeanne Glowicki
Kris Greiffendorf
Erin Grin, ‘90
Lisa Healey
Lisseth Hoksbergen
Doug Jenkins
Foundations
Joanne Platt
Mark Pullen
Hollie Rademacher
Betsy Raymond
Kirk Reifinger
Bridget Rieth
Evon Roberts
Lisa Rogers
Ronald Sagritalo
Shelly Schram
Sara Shubel
Jane Siegel
Peter Stuursma, ‘89
Karen Sullivan, ‘86
Terry Szpieg
Patty Temple
Winona Tinholt
Lori Johnston, ‘79
Tim Johnston
Linda Kehm
Betsy Kratt
Holly Lampen
William Luke
Amy Marlow
Katie McIntosh, ‘93
Kerry McKee
Heather McKinney
Jim McLain,’81
Nancy McSkimming
Scott Mitton
Anthony Morey
Alisha Myers
Onder Ors
Alison Peot
Bruce Towne
Kevin Vance
Marjolijn van der Velde
Melissa VanderZyden
Katie Vicente
Janice Yates
Matching Gift Donors
Accident Fund Holdings
Amazon Smile Foundation
Bank of America Foundation
C. R. Bard Foundation
Covidien
ECG Management
Consultants
Gannett Foundation
GE Foundation
February 2015
Volume XXXII
JPMorgan Chase Foundation
Microsoft
New York Life
PNC Foundation
Rockwell Automation
Foundation
Steelcase Foundation
Wells Fargo Foundation
Perrigo Math and Science
Grant and Scholarship
Award Program
Perrigo Company
Foundation
EGRFOREVER!
ENDOWMENT
CAMPAIGN 2012
Lead Supporters
Mark & Cathy Bissell
Mary Ann Byam, ‘57
Mark & Barbara Gerson
Robell Foundation
Jane Welch
Ambassadors
Dave ’57 & Nancy Cook
Mitch & Jill DeJonge
Chip & Pam ’76 Meier
Joseph ’86 & Tanya
VandenBosch
Sustainers
Bob ’73 & Susan Levine
David S. Lundeen, ‘80
Darrell & PK ’74 Mason
Jim & Carolyn Morse
Mike & Trish ’89 Reid
Peter & Jessica Ruppert
Gary & Lorna ’72 Schultz
Dean ’80 & Nell Witting
Patrons
Scott & Natalie Bernecker,
‘89
Ted & Claudine Duncan
Campbell Frey, ‘01
Flip ’79 & Darrow
Goodspeed
Benefactors
Tim & Lori ’79 Johnston
John R. Bertsch, ‘61
Mike & Sue Keil
Todd & Bonnie Brandstadt
Brad & Susan Laffrey
David & Nancy Hejna
Mike & Kathy ’74 Lloyd
John ’79 & Lindel Hoff
Tom ’71 & Vicki ’70 Kimball Paul & Rosanne ’83 Mack
Michael & Dawn Mackson
Eric & Doreen Lambert
Mike & Carole McDonald –
Mark & Allison ’89 White
in honor of Linda Kehm
Anthony & Polly Morey
Jay & Laura Paschall
Linda B. Patterson
Al & Kim Rossi
Greg & Sara Shubel
Peter & Amy Stuursma, ‘89
Friends
John & Diane Aouad
Dennis & Jennifer Bruce
Dave & Stacey Levitt
Susan Turcotte McFadden,
‘74
Charles Winslow & Judy
Sopeland
The Wisniewski Family
Matching Gift Donors
Gannett Foundation
Steelcase Foundation
ADVANCING
EXCELLENCE
CAMPAIGN
Dave ‘57 & Linda Mehney
GENERAL
ENDOWMENT
Anonymous
David & Dori Couvreur
Michael & Jenny ’87 Fee
David & Elizabeth Hamm
Tom & Margy Jones
John H. Logie, ‘57
Dan Fechtner & Sharon Mah
Richard & Noel McGarrity
Sam ’63 & Barb ’64 Metcalf
Brian & Pam Page
Mark & Barb Periard
Mike & Betsy Redman
Fritz ‘62 & Karen ‘63 Schaefer
JIMMY GERKEN FUND
Kathy Muir Laidlaw, ‘59
Matt & Katie ’93 McIntosh
Dave ’57 & Linda Mehney
Jack Nichols
Joan & Peter Secchia
Scott & Lindsay Slagboom
Peter & Amy Stuursma, ‘89
PERFORMING ARTS
FUND
Roger & Marcia Beutner
Dennis J. DeLano, ‘91
Stafford Smith & Ritsu
Katsumata
REID VANGELDEREN
MEMORIAL AND
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Mary Moss
Bill & Chris Syverson
Tom & Lisa Wurst
VANDENBERG FUND
Shirley A. VandenBerg
WE THE PEOPLE FUND
Gerald & Heidi Ford
Bob & Ellen Nelson
Kevin & Gina Paul
East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation
MISSION STATEMENT & HISTORY
The East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation enriches the educational experience of our students
by funding excellence in teaching and learning that requires financial support beyond the district.
The East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation was established in 1983 as a private, non-profit organization to maintain and enhance the
quality of education within the East Grand Rapids Public Schools and is solely dependent on tax-deductible donations from the community.
As an endowed foundation, contributions are added to the principal and spending each year is limited to the amount earned on that principal.
As of June 30, 2014, the Foundation has a current endowment of $3.6 million and has awarded over $1.3 million in grants, awards and
scholarships since 1983.
The Foundation is governed by a 21-member volunteer Board of Directors. Membership is drawn from the community-at-large and two
East Grand Rapids High School students. The East Grand Rapids Public Schools Superintendent and a representative from the East Grand Rapids
School Board serve as ex-officio members. The Foundation is staffed by a part-time Executive Director, Accountant, Alumni Relations
Coordinator and Office Manager with offices located at the East Grand Rapids Public Schools James E. Morse Building of Administration.
Foundations
February 2015
Volume XXXII
5
MEMORIAL GIFTS
Paul E. Beard, ‘96
Laurie Beard
Mildred Arlene Bell
EGR High School Staff
Don Berles
David ‘55 & Mary Kay ‘57
Berles
Kim Bernard
Bob & Jan ’75 Aardema
Keary Bakita
Stephanie Bassham
Richard & Kristin Bemis
Bolhouse, Baar & Lefere,
P.C.
Sheila Christensen, Zoe,
Nick, Willow & Ivy
Beth Cochran
Bill Cole – State Farm
James & Debbie Cook
DDM Marketing &
Communications
Scott Feroni
Janet Genow
Jack & Cindy Hendon
Paul & Rosanne ’83 Mack
Karen Mason
Mary Jo McBrearty
Jim ’81 & Sue ’82 McLain
Mirko & Jane Mikelic
Ryan & Lindsey Nicholson
David Olson & Linda
Bernard-Olson
Onder & Carol Ors
Cheryl Owens
Steve & Melissa Ozinga
Ed & June Prein
Allen & Lynn Reilly
Mike & Betty Roth &
Family
Jim ’80 & Jeanine
Samuelson
Buck & Judy Saunders
Michael & Sarah Saunders
Tim & Heather Saunders
Matt ’90 & Diana Schad
Roger & Mary Snider
Pete & Lisa Theut
Helga Toriello, ‘70
Bob & Linda Trout
The Ward Family
Wolverine World Wide –
Merrell Team
Wolverine World Wide
Foundation
Heather Lee Bieker, ‘84
Bob & Val Bernecker
Mary K. Boland
John & Janet Boyles
Andrea Collins
Dave ’57 & Nancy Cook
Duane & Patricia Drake
John & Nancy Edleman
Suzanne Fuller
The Garcia Family
Ralph & Sue Garlick
Beth Goebel, ‘85
Grand Rapids Chair
Company
Susan Grant
Lynn Gregory, ‘56
Bob & Diane Hall
Dennis & Flora Hautau
The Herb Family
Robert & Barbara Herr
Ron & Pat Hoekman
Tom & Margy Jones
Bill Kirwin
Paul Kirwin
Thomas H. Kirwin
Bob ’59 & Kay Kress
Bill ’54 & Kathy ’59 Laidlaw
Jack ’50 & Judy ’51
Landman
Chuck & Jan Lippert
Dick & Genie Lyman
Maureen Maier
Larry & Donna Manthei
Jim ’81 & Sue ’82 McLain
Dave ’57 & Linda Mehney
Sam ‘63 & Barb ’64 Metcalf
Jack Nichols
Linda Patterson
Vint & Mari Persons
Ginny Peters
Dan Pfeiffer
Paul & Marge Potter
Mike & Betsy Redman
Mike & Betty Roth
Ann Schwandt
Bob & Jeanne Skilton
Jim & Ann Stuursma
Peter & Amy Stuursma, ‘89
Chuck & Lill Thompson
Candace Titus
Daryl & Stacy Trierweiler
Mike & Lisa Warren
Price & Jane Watts
George ’66 & Susan
Whinery
Mark & Allison ’89 White
John & Carroll Wiener
David & Susan ’64
Wittenbach
Donald & Virginia Wride
James Chalmers
Anonymous
Claire Belfer
Jerry & Cheryl Bentley
Jan Brander
Matt ’89 & Tamara
Chalmers
Paul & Connie Chardoul
Harry & Sue Clay
Robert & Susan Cobb
Dave & Sue Dozeman
Bob Ethen – Beltline
Insurance Agency
Harry & Ann Fifolt
David & Jill Gersch
Jeanne Glowicki
Jim & Katie Green
Dan & Marilyn Hamilton
Frank & Nancy Letherby
Mike & Suzanne Moore
Jim & Carolyn Morse
Keith Paluska
Howard & Stacy Paul
Barry ’89 & Stephanie
Rudolph
Peter & Norita Siler
Aaron ‘93, Jill & William
Smith
Charles Spies, ‘91
Peter & Amy Stuursma, ‘89
Mary E. Walker
Thursday Men’s Breakfast
Group:
David Comfort, George
Davidson, Don Gordon,
John Marcus, Michael
Moore, Larry Murphy,
Frank Spies
Harry Clay
Peter & Amy Stuursma, ‘89
Sherman Massingham, ‘40
Nancy Massingham, ‘40
Mary Dykhouse
EGR High School Staff
Larry Mulvihill, ‘57
Jack Carroll, ‘57
Lynn Gregory, ‘56
Kenneth D. Ellis, ‘47
Frances Ellis
Louis Fierens
The Adult Critical Care
Nursing Staff
Martin & Catherine
Blagdurn
Nelson & Ruth Bredeweg
Lesley Caves
Tracy Cleveland
Tom & Kim Condon
Larry & Stephanie Doll
Richard & Sally Fierens
Scott Gasiorek
Cindy Gorton
James & Sue Ellen Grigg
R. Dale & Joyce Grigg
The Meier Family
Deb Osburn
Ben & Ann Rinkeviczie
Jimmy Gerken
Gregory Carnevale
Watson O. Page, ‘32
David ’55 & Mary Kay ’57
Berles
Coach Bob Porter – former
coach from 1954-1960
Chuck Jennings, ‘57
Margaret Pyle
Bill & Mary Ford
George ’66 & Susie Whinery
Joann Reeves, ‘83
Mary Stuart Wisnom, ‘80
Rusty Swaney, ‘51
The Tom Swaney Family
Elaine Temple
Robert & Patty Temple
Mary Jeanne Tourek, ‘50
Barbara Cone
Christine Fairbank Webber,
Dave Hamilton, ’52
‘60
Nancy Harris Hamilton, ‘55
Mary Sue Jack, ‘60
Julie Conger Magnuson, ’68
Jim “Lamar” Wendell, ‘59
Louis & Carol Murray, ‘64
Denny ’59 & Mary Ann
Gray
Harry, Evelyn & Chuck ’64
Lawford
Anne Lawford Krawczak, ‘60 Richard “Dick” Wolf, ‘50
Muriel D. Wolf
Vany LeSarge
John Zimelis - former high
Barbara Cone
school science teacher
from 1966-1988
Chris MacDonald, ‘84
Dave & Ginny MacDonald Timothy ‘80, Michael ’82
& Barbara Cone
John MacKeigan
Peter & Amy Stuursma, ‘89
John & Carroll Wiener
Sydney Martin, ‘40
Anne Lewis, ‘44
SPECIAL EVENTS
HURRAH! 2014
Maximalist Sponsors
Brad Ditmar, ‘88 - Keller
Williams Realty
Mark & Barbara Gerson
Law Weathers
Intentist Sponsors
Anonymous
Arte Povera Sponsors
Scott & Natalie Bernecker,
‘89
BISSELL Inc.
Brightformat
Andre & Kristen Gauri
Dirk Hoffius,’61 & the late
Victoria Hoffius
Lacks Enterprises, Inc.
Meijer
John & Ann Mooney
Norris Perné & French LLP
Achilles Spagnuolo & Ruth
Brandt Spagnuolo
Joe ’86 & Tanya
VandenBosch
Russ & Chris Visner
Remodernist Sponsors
Adamy Valuation Advisors
6
Foundations
David ’55 & Mary Kay ’57
Berles
Dr. William Boorstein
Christopherson & Caldwell
Orthodontics
Brian ’78 & JoAnn Ellis
Geoff & Julie ’74
Hawksworth
Hoekstra Transportation,
Inc.
Otis & Kathy Jackoboice
Mike & Megan Knuble
Lacks Enterprises, Inc.
Joe and Katy Levan
John & Suzie MacKeigan
Bernie & Patti Malewitz
Larry & Julie McCahill
Brian & Megan Miller
Miller Johnson
Reagan Marketing + Design
Steve ’80 & Amy Rockwell
Steve & Jennifer Salasky
Will & Kelli Templeton
Leigh VanderMolen J. Peterson Realty
Brian Ward Home
Improvement
The Welch Law Firm, PLC
Bob ’92 & Tracy Wolford
David & Leine Ziegler
Abstract Illusionist
Sponsors
Bob & Val Bernecker
Scott & Kristin Bickley
Kevin & Eileen Brader
Mike ’89 & Lisa Byam
Pat ’91 & Nancy Connor
Mike & Deb Corby
Gene & Brenda Cronin
Brad ’93 & Amy Darooge
Jim & Harriet Engbers
Dan & Shelly ’91 Fuller,
BDO USA, LLP
Andy & Peggy Head
David & Kim Hoekstra
Jason & Katie ’96 Israels
Armen ’78 & Kimberly
Kassouni
Keil Lasik Vision Center
John & Emily Keller
David & Jennifer
Kirchgessner
Rob ’84 & Julie Kowalewski
Krupp Law Offices PC
Jim & Mary Krzeminski
Eric & Doreen Lambert
Jeff ’91 & Shannon
MacKeigan
Jim ’81 & Sue ’82 McLain
Steve & Jenny McMahon
Dan Mehney, ’88 &
Brooke Fisher
Drew ’89 & Allison Miller
Steve & Katie Millman
Mark & Barb Periard
John Preston & Melissa
VanderZyden
Chris & Michelle Rabideau
Mike & Trish ’89 Reid
Dan & Shelley Schmidt
Stafford Smith & Ritsu
Katsumata
Valleau, VanDeven & Massic
Pediatric Dentistry
David Westphal & Kathryn
Stieler
Mark & Allison ’89 White
Andy & Erin Winkel
Chad Zagel & Ellie Frey
Zagel
Bryant & Marcia Zanko
Schuil Coffee
Smashburger
Sweetie-licious Bake Shoppe
TCBY
Patron Ticketholders
Brian ’97 & Sarah Adloff
Chris & Emily Backus
Todd & Bonnie Brandstadt
Michael & Jenny ’87 Fee
Mike Tomich & Jeanne
Glowicki
Nancy Hejna
Linda Kehm-Rich
Andrea Leistra
Paul & Dee McGraw
Mirko & Jane Mikelic
Gideon & Tova Sanders
GERKEN OPEN 2014
Gold Sponsors
Anonymous
Scott & Natalie
Bernecker, ‘89
Fox Acura
HNI Risk Services
Kassouni Group LLC
Lacks Enterprises, Inc.
Law Weathers
Miller Johnson
Thousand Oaks Golf Club
Donors
Kurt & Michele Bishop
Tom & Kim Condon
Dave ’57 & Nancy Cook
Mary Yared Davis, ‘69
Dave ’89 & Amy Engbers
Lee & Linda Hegstrand
Gerry & Nancy Hickey
David J. Horning
Theresa Keyes
Brad & Michelle Kirk
Jack & Margie Oosting, ‘56
Lance & Kim Owens
Jeff Potteiger & Ellen Adams
Peter & Katie Satterthwaite
Food and Beverage
Sponsors
Acorn Grille at Thousand
Oaks
Arby’s
Artesian Distillers
Big Bob’s Pizza
Derby Station
El Barrio Mexican Grill
Field and Fire Bakery
Founders Brewing Co.
Georgio’s Gourmet Pizza
The Green Well
Love’s Ice Cream
Olive’s
Ramona’s Table
Rose’s on Reeds Lake
Supporters
Jennifer Bruce
Kim Counts
Design Design
Carol Distel
EGR Art Students
EGRPS Art Teachers
Beth Graff
Grand Rapids Trolley Co.
Dave Kagan, ‘64 –
Sensitography
Quinn’s Cuisine
Blue Sponsors
Nanoplas, Inc.
Orthopedic Associates of
Michigan – Dr. Peter
Theut & Patrick Reid
Paul Goebel Group
Insurance
Steve Morse, ‘95 – Morse
Realty
Event Sponsors
Mark & Laura Banbury
Barwis Methods Training
Center
Law Offices of Sean Patrick
Cox, P.L.L.C.
Keller Williams Realty –
The Brad Ditmar Team
Dooge Veneers, Inc.
Brian ’78 & JoAnn Ellis
Founders Bank & Trust
GLT Packaging
Georgio’s Gourmet Pizza
Grand Rapids Label Co.
Graves & Company
Met Life
Jack Nichols
Johnny Mac’s Sporting
Goods
Terryberry
Text-To-Give Donors
Steve ’86 & Maria Allen
Bob & Val Bernecker
Brad & Sherry Blair
Brock & Caroline Cannon
Brad ’88 & Kim ’89 Ditmar
Steve ’76 & Monica ’82
Edison
Luke Glendening, ‘07
Steve & Kim Hall
John ’79 & Lindel Hoff
Tim & Lori ’79 Johnston
Armen ’78 & Kim Kassouni
Labeltape, Inc.
Paul & Rosanne ’83 Mack
Scott & Rebecca Martin
Jim & Carolyn Morse
Steve Morse, ‘95
Jack Nichols
Bryan & Megan O’Connell
Mike & Trish ’89 Reid
Peter & Amy Stuursma, ‘89
Tim & Karen ’86 Sullivan
Philip Sunderland
Steve ’75 & Sarah ’82
Swaney
Mark & Allison ’89 White
Tim & Cyndi Wolffis
Bob ’92 & Tracy Wolford
Event In-Kind Sponsors
Comfort Research
EGR Athletics
EGR Spirit Shop
EGR Team Boosters
Gaslight Promotions
Kickboard USA
Papers Plus
Bob Trout
REID VANGELDEREN
MEMORIAL AND
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
GOLF OUTING
Event Sponsors
BISSELL Inc.
Investment Property
Advisors, LLC
Structural Concepts
Corporation
Event Donors
Patrick Armstrong
Sam Capone
Chris ’02 & Lauren
Pinckney
Ross Shapland
COMMUNITY SERVICE
AND DISTINGUISHED
ALUMNI AWARDS
DINNER
Foundation Sponsors
Steve ’65 & Joan Belkin
BISSELL Inc.
Law Weathers
Norris Perné & French LLP
Reagan Marketing + Design
February 2015
Volume XXXII
Bob ’92 & Tracy Wolford
Patron Sponsors
Tom ’71 & Vicki ’70
Kimball
Lacks Enterprises, Inc.
The Welch Law Firm
Varnum – Dave & Jenny
Khorey, Tom & Sally ’85
Kyros, Joe & Katy Levan,
Phil & Beth Skaggs
Pillar Sponsors
David & Nancy Hejna
Meijer Foundation
Chris VandenBerg, ’74 &
Betsy Neubig
Community Sponsors
Marty & Sue ’56 Allen
Chip ’65 & Stacie Behler
Scott & Natalie Bernecker,
‘89
John & Janet Boyles
Todd and Bonnie Brandstadt
John & Marie Canepa
Pat ’91 & Nancy Connor
Dave ’57 & Nancy Cook
Don & Johanna Crossley
The Darooge Family
Brad ’88 & Kim ’89 Ditmar
Brian ’78 & JoAnn Ellis
David & Susan Hojnacki
Win ’65 & Kyle ’70 Irwin
Rob ’84 & Julie Kowalewski
Larry & Mettie Leigh, ‘65
Brian & Megan Miller
Matthew ’86 & Jill Miller
Onder & Carol Ors
Owen-Ames-Kimball Co.
John Preston & Melissa
VanderZyden
Chris & Michelle Rabideau
Rick & Sue Steketee, ‘65
Michael Tomich & Jeanne
Glowicki
Wolverine Building Group
Supporters
Bob & Jan ’75 Aardema
Jim ’56 & Betsy Barton
John & Mary Dersch
James & Harriet Engbers
Maren Enghauser
Rick & Carol Godfrey
Michael ’86 & Robyn Morse
Carl & Nancy Rossi
Jennifer Bruce
Katherine Tippett, ‘84
Fran Lanford - Crescent
Street Floral
Central Michigan Paper Co.
Michael Woodward
Todd Wilkie
Abby Schneider
February 2015
Volume XXXII
CLASS
REUNION
GIFTS
Class of 1969 - $2,219.69
Mary E. Davis
Vicki Gezon
Harvey Heller
Kohorst Allen Family Fdtn.
Stephen Miller – in honor of
Coach Jim Kerwin
Joseph M. Thomas
Class of 1979 - $1,347.47
Missy Canepa Agnello
Bill Azkoul
Dan Barcheski
Amanda Dubee
Scott Fairbanks
Mark Finkelstein
Andy Gremel
Meredith Murphy Gremel
Julie Fox
Stacy Sawyer Hunter
Lori Bernecker Johnston
John Kundtz
Karen Lundeen Kurgan
Mary Wolf Loiselle
Rick Marvin
Kimberly Hall Nicholas
Daniel Packard
Mark Richards
Cindy Ryan
David Schermer
Jeff Shull
Greg Timmer
Todd Warnock
Kenneth Wepman
Foundations
7
An Evening of Awards and Celebration
The East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation hosted its eighth Community Service and Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner on Monday, November 17, 2014 at the JW Marriott Hotel. Our
honored guests were Dr. Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, East Grand Rapids High School class of 1965, the
Virginia and Leonard Marx Professor of Child Development
at Columbia University’s Teachers College and the College of
Physicians and Surgeons and Mrs. Kim Rossi, East Grand
Rapids Community Member. Kim Rossi is one of the many
hard-working volunteers in East Grand Rapids that make
EGR a special community. She is known for taking
volunteering to a whole new level.
The evening kicked off with an amazing performance
from our elementary choirs lead by Mr. Michael Woodward
followed by awards and remarks from our award recipients.
This event was truly a celebration of our community and 31
years of support to our schools from the East Grand Rapids
Schools Foundation. We thank Dr. Brooks-Gunn and Mrs.
Rossi for making a memorable night for all who attended.
Congratulations to both of your for making an impact in
your professions and your past and current communities.
Class of 1983 - $650.00
Class of 1983 – in memory
of Joann Reeves, ‘83
Class of 1984 - $1,300.00
Mike Allen
Larry Bridge
Tim Cary
John Fuller
Darcy French Hoppman
Melissa Moore Janes
Wendy Jacobson Keller
Betsy Muir
Thania Panopoulos
Chris Viglione Selak
Suzi Ammond Shirley
Ned Snell
Joseph Steketee
Save the Date
Class of 1994 - $550.00
Class of 2003- $900.00
Class of 2003 – in memory
of Teddy Knape, ‘03
Class of 2004- $138.91
GERKEN OPEN GOLF OUTING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2015
THOUSAND OAKS GOLF CLUB
8
Foundations
February 2015
Volume XXXII
Grants Awarded – Fall 2014
Grants
Requestor/School
21st Century Classrooms
Pilot for state-of-the-art learning environment
Tumble Books
Online literature collection K-12
Ellison Die Cuts
Cutting press for shapes and letters
Leadership Training Workshops
2 years of leadership training workshops for high
school students
Haiti Day
Guest speaker, band and books to enrich cultural awareness
Mosaic Mural with Artist Corey VanDuinen
Collaborative piece of art between artist and all students,
including a mosaic mural installation at the Middle School
3D Printer Initiative
2 3D printers to enhance science curriculum
Combination Belt/Disc Sander and Accessory Belts
Specialty equipment to allow students to develop
prototypes and fabricate final products
Bulletin Boards
Large display areas to showcase final products from
Drafting, Design and Technology courses
Informational Book Author Melissa Stewart Visit
Author visit to work with children K-5 as well as
staff on writing informational books
Classroom Independent Reading Project
Funds for classroom library, bookcases, guest speaker and training
Computer Programming Class
Pilot computer programming class for students
Classroom Library Makeovers
Funds for updating classroom libraries and an
iPad to catalog the titles
Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra
Instructional visit from the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra
Veterans Day Speaker
Visit from alumnus Jack Becker ‘94 to speak at Veterans Day
assemblies
Caldecott Books
Update of library collection with Caldecott
award-winning books in all 3 elementaries
Jenny Fee/High School
$7,564
Michelle Kirk/Breton Downs,
Lakeside, Wealthy
Sue McLain/Breton Downs
$3,780
TOTAL GRANTS – FALL 2014
Amount
$2,616
Leadership and Youth
Development/High School
$2,000
Vicki Boersma, Tracy Wolford,
Caroline Cannon/Breton Downs
Holly Lampen/Middle School
$1,475
$4,000
Becky Martin/Middle School
$4,111
Terry Szpieg/High School
$596
Patrick Reed/High School
$650
Kim Doele, Tim Saunders,
Kerry McKee, Megan Miller/Wealthy
$7,094
Katherine Miller/Middle School
$7,560
Winona Tinholt/Wealthy
$2,195
Jill Smith/Middle School
$1,730
Mary Hillyard/High School
$500
Katie McIntosh/Breton Downs,
Lakeside, Wealthy, Middle School
$500
Carole McDonald, Trish Reid/Breton
Downs, Lakeside, Wealthy
$387
$46,758
Foundations
February 2015
Volume XXXII
9
East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation
Recognize a Star in Your Child’s Life
“STARS”
Recognize a star in your child’s life by making a tax-deductible donation of $20 or more to the East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation in honor of a special person. We will acknowledge your “star”
in a special section of the next Foundations newsletter. In addition,
we will provide you with a certificate to present to your honoree.
What a wonderful way to thank those special stars in our lives!
Gifts to the Foundation were made to honor stars in our school
community. Below is the list of gifts made during the Fall of
2014 recognizing a favorite teacher, staff member or school employee. Thank you to the many contributors and to the many
outstanding staff members who make East Grand Rapids Public
Schools a great place to learn!
Kaelynn Benham
Charlie Connor
John Burke
The Marx Family
Nancy Bylenga
The Marx Family
Breton Downs Elementary
Staff
John & Janyce Huff
Terri Clay
Caroline Roth
Karen Comeau
The Marx Family
Peri denDulk
The Rockwell Family
Kris DiVita
Caroline Roth
EGR High School Staff
John & Janyce Huff
EGR Middle School Staff
John & Janyce Huff
Tommy Kawel
The Marx Family
Lakeside Elementary Staff
John & Janyce Huff
Kristen Lecours
Charlie Connor
Amy Marlow
`The Marx Family
Kerry McKee
Gaylen & Diane Demarest
and Tyler Sweet
Scott Mitton
Sam Connor
Mark Pullen
Sam Connor
Brett Scheidel
Charlie Connor
Wealthy Elementary Staff
John & Janyce Huff
Laura Woolford
The Marx Family
We want to thank all EGR
staff for providing an exceptional
educational experience for our
students and making a difference
in their lives.
STAR AWARDS
Your Name_____________________________________________
Address________________________________________________
City, State & Zip ________________________________________
䡺 $20+ STAR Award *Staff, *Teacher *Appreciation & RecognitionRecognize a favorite teacher, staff member or school employee
䡺 $20+ Jimmy Gerken Award of Appreciation and ThanksRecognize a coach who has made an impact in your child’s life
Please print the name of the individual to be acknowledged as you wish it to appear.
______________________________________________________
Please print your name exactly as you wish it to appear.
______________________________________________________
Amount enclosed__________________
Please mail to: East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation
2915 Hall Street SE
East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Jimmy Gerken Award
of Appreciation and Thanks –
Fall 2014
Coaches John Preston, Michael Sekulich, John Shelton, Mark
Wassink
7/8ers Football Team
Congratulations to the 2015 We The People State Champions! Good luck at Nationals.
Selfies with all of our new books in
Mrs. Miller’s class. Thank you, Foundation!
10
Foundations
February 2015
Volume XXXII
ALUMNI NEWS
REUNION RECAP
UPCOMING REUNIONS
Mark your calendars for these 2015 reunions!
More reunion information may be found at egrsf.org; select Alumni for
the upcoming reunion events.
Class of 1955 – 60th Reunion
September 17-18, 2015
Contact Ren Brander at [email protected]
Class of 1959 – 55th Reunion – The Class of 1959 celebrated their
55th Reunion September 13, 2014 at Mangiamo restaurant in Grand
Rapids. For information on the Class of ’59 reunion event, contact
Kathy Keller Laidlaw at [email protected] or Holly Hoult Palmer
at [email protected].
Class of 1965 – 50th Reunion
September 18-19, 2015
Reunion Information: egrsf.org/1965-reunion. Contact Rick or Sue
Steketee at [email protected].
Class of 1975 – 40th Reunion
August 8, 2015
Contact Mara Matthews Fenton at [email protected] or
Meg Goebel at [email protected]
Class of 1985 – 30th Reunion
Contact Steve Gregory at [email protected] for more information or
to assist with the planning
Class of 1990 – 25th Reunion
June 13, 2015
Contact Sarah Mulvihill at [email protected]
Class of 1995 – 20th Reunion
July 25, 2015
Facebook: East Grand Rapids High School Class of 1995
Contact Jennie Sutherland at [email protected] or Rachel
Lee at [email protected]
Class of 2005 – 10th Reunion
Thanksgiving Weekend 2015
Reunion information: http://egrclassof2005.weebly.com and
Facebook: EGR Class of 2005
Contact Andrea Segovia at [email protected] for more
information or to assist with the planning.
Class of 1984 – 30th Reunion – The Class of 1984 returned Homecoming weekend to celebrate 30 years. The reunion weekend began
with the homecoming parade on Friday afternoon. Class members were
joined by Pioneer Pete as they tossed candy to parade goers. After
watching the Homecoming king and queen get crowned and the football team beat Grandville,
many gathered post game
at Derby Station in
Gaslight Village. Saturday
activities included a tour
of the high school for
alumni and their families
and a wonderful reunion
event at the Grand Rapids
Yacht Club. For additional Class of ‘84 reunion information go to the
class Facebook page at EGRHS 84 or contact John Fuller at
[email protected] or Melissa Moore Janes at
[email protected].
Reunion information or committee is needed for the following class
years. Please contact the Alumni Relations Coordinator at
[email protected] with information.
Class of 1945 – 70th Reunion
Class of 1950 – 65th Reunion
Class of 1960 – 55th Reunion
Class of 1970 - 45th Reunion
Class of 1980 - 35th Reunion
Class of 2000 - 20th Reunion
Maria Allen, Alumni Relations Coordinator, is available to support
your reunion planning efforts. Contact her at [email protected] or
(616) 235-3535.
Class of 1994 – 20th Reunion – Twenty years was celebrated by the
Class of 1994, September 26-27, 2014, Homecoming weekend.
Alumni and their children represented the Class of ’94 in the parade
before a pre-game gathering at Derby Station. The Saturday reunion
event was a “truly special evening” held at Rich App Gallery. For
additional reunion information please contact Sarah Conway at
[email protected].
continued on page 11
Contact EGRSF to SHARE, UPDATE, INQUIRE. Contact us at egrsf.org/alumni/contact-us to share your news, update
your contact information, or request information. Updating your contact information will ensure you receive reunion
information for your class.
February 2015
Volume XXXII
Foundations
Class of 2004 – 10th Reunion – The Class of 2004 reminisced about
their time at East 10 years ago on November 28, 2014 at the Grand
Rapids Yacht Club. Alumni
enjoyed seeing many of their
classmates, hearing about
others and having a great
time together. Get more reunion information at the
Facebook invitation found at
East Grand Rapids High
School Class of 2004 10-Year
Reunion or by contacting
Andrew Martin at [email protected].
Class of 2010 – 5th Reunion – An early 5 year reunion celebration
was held Wednesday, November 26, 2015 at Billy’s Lounge in
Eastown. Contact Olivia Avery at
[email protected] for more information.
THE PIONEER MURAL TURNS 50
East Grand Rapids High School students have been passing
by a large mural on the second floor for half of a century. Some
alumni distinctly remember the 8x28 foot mural from their days
at East, but there are others that “see” it for the first time during
an alumni tour of the high school when they return for their
class reunion. Every tour provided by EGRSF & Alumni Association includes a stop at the beautiful and historical mural that
has been there for fifty years, thanks to the Class of 1965.
11
IN REMEMBRANCE
1943
Robert E. Boyer
1959
Thomas Dvorak
1968
1944
Julie Conger Magnuson
Louis Milton Allen “Milt” Craven
1969
Virginia Ann Schmidt Hicks
Wendy Lou Reed
1945
1973
John H. “Jack” Batts
Sue Ann Maloley Franklin
1946
Nancy M. Murray Roberts
1975
Peter J. Maternowski
1947
Susan Ryan Miller
1976
Randal Heintzelman
Janet Anne Wood
1948
Donald Bullock
1980
Kimberly S. Herwich
1949
Valerie Ehrett Lawrence
1957
Lee W. Burgett
Paul Laurence “Larry” Mulvihill
1988
Anne Lowe Mowrer
EGRPS Former Staff
Mervyn W. Bremmer
Matthew S. Koukios
Frank J. “Coach” Kuta
John Zimelis
1958
Joan Burleson Conrad
We apologize for any errors or omissions. Please help us stay informed by contacting us at (616) 235-3535 or [email protected].
The Pioneers mural was chosen by the Class of 1965 for its
innovation and tie-in to the then newly built high school. Gerald Mast, from the University of Michigan Extension Services,
was the artist who created the mural, which depicts pioneers of
several eras and is intended to be a reminder of the spirit of
youth and education. Despite Mast’s statement that the mural
“will last as long as the school does,” it required restoration in
the early 1990s. We thank the Class of 1965 and those who contributed to its restoration and we look forward to the students of
East Grand Rapids passing by the spirit of pioneering mural for
another fifty years.
Did you know
there are several
East Grand
Rapids alumni
association imposters? Your official East Grand Rapids High School Alumni Association can
only be found through the East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation at egrsf.org/alumni. Know that the other sites (alumniclass.com, classmates.com, classfinders.com, and
eastgrandrapidshighschool.org) are not associated with East
Grand Rapids High School or EGRSF. If you have questions,
please contact Maria Allen, Alumni Relations Coordinator, or
Amy Stuursma, Executive Director at [email protected].
Foundations
East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation
2915 Hall Street SE
East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
616-235-3535
www.egrsf.org
NON-PROFIT
U.S. Postage
PAID
Grand Rapids, MI
Permit #907
Foundations
February 2015
Volume XXXII
Thank you for supporting East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation.
Please include this form with your donation. You will receive a letter of receipt for your tax-deductible gift. If you would like to make your donation online please visit our website: www.egrsf.org.
Name________________________________________________________
(as you wish to be recognized on printed materials)
Address______________________________________________________
City/State/Zip_________________________________________________
Phone_______________________________________________________
E-mail_______________________________________________________
East graduate(s) Class year(s)______________________________________
Please accept my gift of:
嘷 $100 嘷 $250 嘷 $500 嘷 $1,000 嘷 $2,500+ 嘷 Other $________
嘷 Young Alumni (graduated in last 10 years) $_________
Please charge my 嘷 VISA 嘷 Master Card 嘷 Discover
Credit Card #_________________________________________________
Exp. Date_____________________ Amount $_______________________
I would like my gift to be used:
嘷 Wherever Needed Most
嘷 EGRNow! - Program/Project Support
嘷 EGRForever! - Endowment Fund
I wish to honor a special person with this gift:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
I wish to remember a special person with this gift:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
嘷 I/We have remembered EGRSF in my/our estate plans.
嘷 Please send information on how to remember EGRSF in my will.
嘷 I plan to make a matching gift through my employer.
Employer name ____________________________________________
Please make checks payable to: East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation.
Donations may be sent to: 2915 Hall St. SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506 or donate online at: www.egrsf.org